HERKIMER-Sheldon S. Basloe age 84 of North Caroline Street entered into eternal rest on Saturday evening August 7, 2004 in Folts Homes, Herkimer. He was born on October 1, 1919 in Utica as the second child of Frank J. and Rose Rothblum Basloe. He savored every opportunity in life and applied his intellect and talents to go on to becoming an accomplished and respected son, husband, father, grandfather and businessman. His early years in Herkimer were surrounded by good friends, family and Temple. He became an avid sports enthusiast both as a participant and spectator. He pursued this interest throughout his life, sharing countless moments of wins and losses as a player on the court, the golf course or as a devoted spectator of football and basketball for his Syracuse Orangemen or New York Knicks and Yankees. As a owner and coach of the Mohawk Redskins Professional Basketball Team in the late forties, he lived out every spectators dream. Whether as a student at SU or a soldier in World War II he committed himself to giving his all. In 1946 on a trip home from New York City, where she had begun her career, Norma Samuels was introduced to Sheldon and there began a union of two souls, two hearts and five children. During their fifty-eight years they were partners in every respect of their lives. From a small gourmet shop on Caroline Street, Sheldon started the Original Herkimer Cheese Company becoming a leader in innovation in the industry with products such as the cheeseball, numerous quality cheese spreads and cheddar as well as Ida Mae Gelatin products. He was named to the International Dairy Deli Hall of Fame for his development of specialty food products. Soon they were honored with their sons Peter, Michael and Bob who joined the company and contributed the same work ethics and passion to carry on their parents dream while daughter Rhoda went to New York with the same passion to pursue a fashion career. Throughout triumphs, successes or personal tragedies Sheldon never succumbed to the ills of success the heartbreak of loss. He had a life of great personal achievements measured by perseverance and determination. His strength and personal will, will always be his children and grandchildrens inspiration. Yet it was the unparalleled love that he passionately shared with his wife Norma that was his foundation for success in every facet of his life. He had a strong belief in God and was member of Temple Beth Joseph in Herkimer where he was a past president of the congregation and had served on the committee that selected the sight of where the temple stands today. He had a strong sense of community; he was a member of B`nai Brith, a former member of the Herkimer Rotary Club, a member of Herkimer Elks Lodge # 1439, a Free and Accepted Mason and member of Ziyara Shrine AAONMS. At one time he had served on the Herkimer School Board of Education. His relaxation was to play golf and was a member of Mohawk Valley Country Club. Sheldon will always be remembered as a kind man who cared about others. He will be greatly missed by many especially his family. Surviving are his wife of fifty-eight years Norma, two sons, Robert Basloe of Herkimer with Mary Woods of Ilion, Michael Basloe and his wife Joanie of New Hartford, one daughter, Rhoda Lewis-Gennarelli and her husband John of Chappaqua, two sisters, Eleanor Levin and her husband Gerald of Herkimer, Leatrice Golden of Utica, eight grandchildren, Ben, Laurie, Patrick, Jacob, Alana and Brian Basloe, Sara and Joshua Lewis, one great grandchild Dakota Basloe along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Bethanne Basloe, one son Peter Gregg Basloe and a brother Irving M. Basloe. Funeral service will be on Tuesday at 1:30 pm in the Temple Beth Joseph, Herkimer. The Rabbi Stanley Gersten and Cantor Kalman Socoloff will officiate. Following the service Mr. Basloe will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the family residence 428 North Caroline Street, Herkimer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening with Minyan at 7:00 pm each evening. Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the Bethanne Basloe Flower Fund at the Temple Beth Joseph, 327 Prospect Street Herkimer, NY 13350 or the Peter Basloe Memorial Fund, at the Jewish Community Center, 2310 Oneida Street, Utica, NY 13501. Envelopes will be available at the funeral service. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer.